Are Nationals looking to build another home run bat in their system?

Are Nationals looking to build another home run bat in their system?
Since 2010, the Nationals enjoyed a solid run from Tyler Moore, Steven Souza Jr. and Michael A. Taylor, who displayed home run power at the minor league level. Moore hit 107 homers and drove in 435 RBIs in the minors. Souza crushed 93 homers and had 421 RBIs. Taylor launched 51 homers and had 273 RBIs in the minors. Souza is now with the Tampa Bay Rays after a trade that brought starter Joe Ross and shortstop Trea Turner to the Nationals. Moore has been a solid bench bat for a few seasons now...

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Joe Ross and Abel de los Santos

Nationals early camp prospect capsule: Joe Ross and Abel de los Santos
The two newest pitchers acquired in trades in the offseason debuted for the Nationals in their early camp roster game against the Astros on Thursday. Nationals minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart said that right-handed starter Joe Ross and right-hander Abel de los Santos "threw very well" and had "impressive first outings" yesterday in their organizational debuts. Nats director of player development Mark Scialabba also confirmed the pair "pounded the strike zone and were...

Baseball America No. 3 Nats prospect: Michael A. Taylor

Baseball America No. 3 Nats prospect: Michael A. Taylor
Outfielder Michael A. Taylor advanced well in 2014, moving from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Syracuse all the way to the Nationals. Taylor's jump was big, considering he spent 2012 and 2013 with high Single-A Potomac. He hit .304 in the minors last season, collecting 20 doubles, three triples, 23 homers and 64 RBIs in 110 games. The power display was 10 more homers than he had hit in 2012 and 2013 combined. Taylor then played 17 games with the Nationals and had eight hits with one...

Baseball Prospectus No. 6 Nats prospect: Steven Souza Jr.

Baseball Prospectus No. 6 Nats prospect: Steven Souza Jr.
The next name on the list of Nationals top 10 prospects according to Baseball Prospectus is outfielder Steven Souza Jr., who already has etched his name in organization's history books with one of the most amazing catches of the season to end the final regular season game. His over-the-shoulder dive toward center field near the warning track in left not only won the Sept. 28 game against the Marlins, but it also cemented the first no-hitter ever thrown by a Nationals pitcher. Jordan...

Senators Hot Stove Dinner date set; Mesa wins nailbiter in Arizona

Senators Hot Stove Dinner date set; Mesa wins nailbiter in Arizona
The Double-A Harrisburg Senators have announced their 5th annual Hot Stove Dinner will be January 24, 2015, at the Best Western Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg. Headlining the event will be former Senators Josh Johnson, Steven Souza Jr. and Michael A. Taylor, as well as a special appearance by Doug Harris, the assistant general manager and vice president of player development for the Nationals. Johnson played with the Senators from 2010-2013. In 2012 and 2013, he split time...

Souza could provide spark to Nationals in 2015

Souza could provide spark to Nationals in 2015
Steven Souza Jr. put on a late-season display of his offensive and defensive abilities for the Nationals. The outfielder was named International League Rookie of the Year and the organization's top minor league player for his 2014 exploits. Souza played in only 21 games for the Nats, but showed off his immense power by hitting a couple of home runs, one a moon shot in Atlanta. At the minor league level, Souza has hit 56 home runs since 2012. He also made an defensive play that will forever be...

Zimmermann on Nats' historic no-hitter: "One of those special days"

Zimmermann on Nats' historic no-hitter: "One of those special days"
With the postseason five days away, Nationals manager Matt Williams used 17 position players in the final game of the season, as he wanted to rest his starters after a couple of at-bats. His starting pitcher got a couple of base hits. His shortstop hit a home run for the only run the Nationals needed in a 1-0 shutout of the Marlins and the club's 96th win of the season. Oh, wait. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann tossed the first no-hitter in Nationals history, going nine innings, allowing...

Nationals honor Giolito, Souza and Difo (updated with Souza quotes, also Giolito interview note)

Nationals honor Giolito, Souza and Difo (updated with Souza quotes, also Giolito interview note)
The Nationals have named outfielder Steven Souza Jr. their minor league Player of the Year and right-hander Lucas Giolito minor league Pitcher of the Year. The club also named infielder Wilmer Difo the recipient of the second annual Bob Boone Award. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, vice president of player personnel Bob Boone, assistant general manager/vice president of player development Doug Harris and director of player development Mark Scialabba made the announcement. The...

For one night, Souza and company showed why they belong

For one night, Souza and company showed why they belong
It did not result in a victory, but it was certainly intriguing to watch what amounted to the Nationals' 1A team stay with the Braves, and even lead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. The Braves ended up winning 3-1, but the Nationals' starters Wednesday displayed why they belong. Tyler Moore and Steven Souza Jr., both former minor league Players of the Year in the organization, were starters. Moore was at first base hit cleanup and when 1-for-4, while Souza played left field. Souza...

Souza favorite to nab organization's Player of the Year honor

Souza favorite to nab organization's Player of the Year honor
Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. has had a breakthrough season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, earning Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors from the International League. The 25-year-old has played so well, he got his opportunity with the big club already a couple of times this season. Most recently, he was activated from the disabled list after a shoulder injury sustained Aug. 8. He is back with the big club through at least September. It has been a pretty quick rise for Souza. He...

Souza named International League MVP; Gardner, Burriss and Laird honored

Souza named International League MVP; Gardner, Burriss and Laird honored
Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs outfielder Steven Souza Jr. has been named International League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, according to a club press release. Souza becomes the sixth International League MVP in Syracuse history and first since Chad Mottola in 2000. He's also the seventh IL Rookie of the Year in Chiefs history and first since Shawn Green in 1994. Souza is hitting .354 with an on-base percentage of .435 and slugging percentage of .601. All three statistics lead the...

Williams on Desmond's day off, Zimmerman, Gonzalez and Souza

Williams on Desmond's day off, Zimmerman, Gonzalez and Souza
Manager Matt Williams gave shortstop Ian Desmond off from the starting lineup Thursday in the final game of the series against the Diamondbacks. Danny Espinosa will play shortstop today for the Nationals, while Asdrubal Cabrera remains at second base. So on Desmond's bobblehead day at Nationals Park, the shortstop gets a well-deserved game off. "I figured it would be good to give him today," Williams said. "Definitely didn't want him to miss the Giants series, give him today through the...

McLouth getting second opinion on ailing right shoulder

McLouth getting second opinion on ailing right shoulder
Outfielder Nate McLouth's inflamed right shoulder isn't responding as quickly to treatment as the Nationals had hoped, so he'll see another doctor to get a second opinion. McLouth, who signed a two-year, $10.75 million deal in December to be a fourth outfielder and defensive specialist for the Nats, has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 4. He's hitting .173 with a home run and seven RBIs in 79 games. "The fact that he's going to go have a second look is concerning, of course,"...

Werth sees doctor, Nats trying to schedule MRI on right shoulder (update)

Werth sees doctor, Nats trying to schedule MRI on right shoulder (update)
Right fielder Jayson Werth departed the Nationals clubhouse at Citi Field this afternoon to have his sore right shoulder checked out by a physician. The Nationals are trying to schedule an MRI to determine the severity of the inflammation in the AC joint and to make sure there's nothing further wrong with the shoulder. "We're just going to get him checked by the doc," manager Matt Williams told reporters during his pregame briefing. "He was OK the other day, playing that last game in...

Werth named NL Player of the Month, Souza gets reacquainted with teammates

Werth named NL Player of the Month, Souza gets reacquainted with teammates
The Nationals surged for most of July with the offense igniting for the first time in a while. A lot of that offense centered around the bat of right fielder Jayson Werth. On Monday, Major League Baseball announced that Werth has been named the National League Player of the Month for July. Werth hit .337 (28-for-83) in July with 11 doubles, six home runs, 24 RBIs, 17 runs scored and 14 walks. Werth also earned the Player of the Month in July 2013, when he hit .367 with seven home runs and 22...

Souza, Laffey making waves as they cruise to Triple-A All-Star Game

Souza, Laffey making waves as they cruise to Triple-A All-Star Game
There is hot. And then there is Steven Souza Jr. Somebody please cast him in the "Fantastic Four: Part II" as the Human Torch. The Nats Twitter world (thanks @jimatwitt) talks about him a lot and his statistics don't lie. In the last 10 games at Triple-A Syracuse, Souza is hitting .475 (19-for-40) with six doubles, one triple, two homers, six stolen bases and 14 RBIs. For the season, Souza is hitting .371 in 72 games with 20 doubles, two triples, 21 stolen bases, 13 homers and 60 RBIs. He...

Hood has shown power potential during latest surge at Triple-A Syracuse

Hood has shown power potential during latest surge at Triple-A Syracuse
The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs have won seven of their last eight games as Destin Hood and Steven Souza, Jr., heat up. It is great to see Hood excelling. Hood has been through some slumps and injuries, but has steadily made the climb within the Nationals organization. Now he is rolling. In his last 10 games, Hood has gone 17-for-40 (.425), with four doubles, two walks, three homers and four RBIs. In his first 26 games at the Triple-A level, Hood is batting .347 with a .949 OPS. In the Chiefs...

During a game to forget, Souza, Walters have moments to remember (plus Span note)

During a game to forget, Souza, Walters have moments to remember (plus Span note)
MIAMI - OK, so last night's 11-2 loss wasn't exactly the most enjoyable three hours for Nationals fans, players or coaches, but there were two moments last night that brought a smile to my face sitting next to the Nats' dugout. In the sixth inning, with the Nats down 11 runs, Steven Souza Jr. came into the ballgame, replacing Jayson Werth in right. Two innings later, Souza stepped into the batter's box at Marlins Park, took a first-pitch slider for ball one, and then scorched a 92 mph...

Treinen called up, Barrett sent down, Souza on lineup card, Span not (updated)

Treinen called up, Barrett sent down, Souza on lineup card, Span not (updated)
ATLANTA - Coming off Friday night's extra-inning loss to the Braves, one that was especially taxing to the Nationals bullpen, the team has made at least one roster move before tonight's contest. Right-hander Blake Treinen is in the building and will be called up for the first time in his career. Right-hander Aaron Barrett will be optioned, but said the Nats told him they hope to bring him back up in about 10 days - the minimum time required before recalling a player after he's sent down...

Injury updates on Solis, Pleffner, Estevez and Ward

Injury updates on Solis, Pleffner, Estevez and Ward
Double-A Harrisburg left-hander Sammy Solis is dealing with a back injury. "He is doing well," assistant general manager and vice president player development Doug Harris said. "He is feeling well and he is beginning to progress. We will put together a return to the mound progression. Hopefully we can go forward with that." They hope to have a better picture of when Solis will return to a throwing regimen in the next week or so. But nothing is set because it is a day-to-day situation. High...